My addiction to the Dodgers and baseball. I love Our Lady of Chavez Ravine (OLOCR) Dodger Stadium. If you come to Dodger Stadium, I'd love to show you around.SABR & Baseball Reliquary member

July 2010

Have you ever found anything of value between the covers of a used book? The only thing I have found is gum wrappers, movie ticket stubs and one time I found a feather.

I have heard of notable finds that included a Mickey Mantle rookie baseball card and a golf scorecard signed by Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax.

At my last trip to Friends of the Library bookstore at Alhambra, I found the following books:

Baseball and the Cold War_Howard Senzel.

The Echoing Green Joshua _Prager

Seasons Past_Damon Rice.

Season Ticket Roger Angel

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I had checked out the Echoing Green from the library some time but I really did not have time then and had to return it. I was glad that this book was among my finds.

So currently I am reading The Echoing Green. This is not only a very good baseball book but a very good book. I know the ending but it is reading like a very good novel.

I also found this book at another library sale. I have only read the story of Rube Marquard and Tommy Leach but so far this is another very good book. I am throughly enjoying the stories of these baseball players of yesterdays as told in their own humble words.

I recently went to the downtown LA library and found another treasure in “The Baseball Reader : Favorites from the Fireside Books of Baseball” Edited by Charles Eisntein. This book has articles by well-known sportwriters and a good selection of poetry and fiction. I want my own copy!

The last article I read from this book is Roger Angell who is one of my favorites.

I am sure you will like and relate to the conclusion of Roger Angell’s article on “1975: Boston Red Sox 7, Cincinnati 6″

It is foolish and childish, on the face of it, to affiliate ourselves with anything so insignificant and patently contrived and commercially exploitative as a professional sports team, and the amused superiority and icy scorn that the non-fan directs at the sports nut (I know this look–I know it by heart) is understandable and almost unanswerable. Almost.

What is left out of this calculation, it seems to me, is the business of caring–caring deeply and passionately, really caring–which is a capacity or an emotion that has almost gone out of our lives. And so it seems possible that we have come to a time when it no longer matters so much what the caring is about, how frail or foolish is the object of that concern, as long as the feeling itself can be saved. Naïveté –the infantile and ignoble joy that sends a grown man or woman to dancing and shouting with joy in the middle of the night over the hazardous flight of a distant ball–seems a small price to pay for such a gift.

Sad to report that another of our Brooklyn Dodgers passed away. We are now down to 59. Rest in peace Billy Loes

This morning as I was hurrying to take my train from Union Station, a lady was coming the opposite side and asked me “where is the train to San Diego?” I pointed her in the right direction but Ughhh! I wanted to hop on that train! I thought about it briefly “I can go the way I am right now..No, I need to go to work…I’ll get updates from there :-(.

I hope Padilla gets better support from the offense. Our offense has been so anemic that they need one of these.

Dodgers acquired Podsednik for Class A RHP Elisaul Pimentel and Catcher Lucas May. Not happy that Oswald went to the Phillies. Dodgers have not even faced the Phillies yet. The Wild Card just got a little harder and wilder. Will the Dodgers be buyers or sellers by the Trade deadline?

When I was at the FanFest, we got in line to get our baseball cards. They had different jerseys you could put on to pose for the picture. Brother Vic posed with a Rays jersey. He is a Rays fan in addition to being a Dodger fan. We teased him afterwards that we had traded him to Tampa for Evan Longoria.

I had taken my picture with a Dodger uni and as a hitter

but when I saw my brother as a pitcher, I wanted one too so I put on the NL uni

You know the first youtube video I recorded of Kenley Jansen that I put in my prior post? Well, last night I noticed that it has over 5,000 views! Unbelievable!

Let’s go Padilla!

Let’s go Dodgers!

Oh, I just got an email from Matt from http://pittpeas.mlblog.com that I am being featured in the MLB blog front page! Wow! Thank you Matt for alerting me! And thank you MLBlogs!!

A year ago Kenley Jansen was in the minor league catching. Seeing his arm was better throwing fastballs than catching them, he was converted to a pitcher. I actually went and pitcked him up in my MLB Fantasy team (Los Locos Azules) but ESPN still has him as a catcher.

In the dugout with a big grin on his face, Clayton Kershaw was watching Kensley who had come in the 9th inning to save the game for Kershaw who had pitched 8 shutout innings.

The kid Kensley looked calm on the mound. I on the other hand was nervous. Kensley had made his major league debut the night before when the Dodgers used nine pitchers in the 13 inning game.

Kensley was going to face the 4th, 5th and 6th batters, of

Here is the video I recorded:

Beltran P6

Bay K

Davis. K

Kershaw came out and gave him a big hug. See, when Kershaw was in the Gulf Coast league, Kensley Jansen was his catcher. “He had an incredible arm back then” kershaw said.

Dodgers WIN! and take the series against the Mets 3 games to 1.

Here is the post game interview with Kenley Jansen:

Dodgers are off today and start a three game series with the first place Padres. Go Dodgers!

Len who I baptised “crazy Mets fan” came from San Diego to watch the game. He sat in the right field pavilion for the AYCE (All you can eat). I caught with him before the game and after the game. This is after the game when the kids were allowed to run the bases. Afterwards the Media softball game started.

Update: I uploaded the videos. Also ESPN has updated Kenley from a catcher to a relief pitcher!

The first 20,000 fans entering Dodger Stadium will receive a poster featuring the team’s celebration and a picture of a young Vin Scully and the words of his call of the final out. Scully will also utter his familiar, “It’s time for Dodger baseball,” live from the broadcast booth to the crowd, a role usually filled by a celebrity or child.

Don Newcombe, who won a team-high 20 games for the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch, with a home plate from Ebbets Field, the Dodgers’ home from 1913-57, used for the ceremony.

In another nod to the past, organ music performed by Nancy Bea Hefley will be played almost exclusively for the entire game, according to Josh Rawitch, the team’s vice president of communications.

Ralph Mauriello, a Brooklyn-born pitcher on the 1958 Dodgers, will sing the national anthem and “God Bless America.”

Fans sitting in the My Town section will receive Dodgertown Brooklyn T- shirts, with the “55 after 55″ patch the Dodgers have worn on their uniforms this season, and eat from an all-you-can-eat menu including Polish sausage sandwiches and soft pretzels.

the matchup: Santana against Padilla. Don’t you love that 50’s miles an hour curveball that Padilla throws! You can hear the stadium crowds when he throws it.

I way behind posting these pictures from the Steve Garvey Celebrity Softball Classic to benefit ALS.

Thank you Mike for inviting Vic and I for this event. A group of us made the trip after the Dodger game to Pepperdine in Malibu for this event. The traffic was a little heavy but the ride on PCH is beautiful.

Here is the booklet which many of us had Steve Garvey signed:

I did not see Tommy Lasorda but he could have been there early for the Festival, we got there about 5:30. It looked like it was a fun festival. I also missed the auction that they had during the festival.

Some of my pictures did not come out but here are some pictures

Here is Steve Garvey batting in full uniform. His son is there ready to run for him.

Jose Canseco practicing his swing as Maury Wills looks on.

Pete Rose with someone wearing a Hollywood Stars jersey:

Jay Johnstone, Maury Wills, Bill Russell, Ron Cey, Jerry Reuss

3/4 of the longest playing infield

Gilbert, Mike and I looking on.

My brother Vic with CSI star Omar Miller. He was very friendly. .

Jose Canseco, Jennine and I

Mike and Jennine with Bill Russell

Jennine and Garvey :

Mike, Steve Garvey and I. I told Garvey that he looked like he could still play. He said “Oh you are so kind, thank you. ”

Thanks again Mike for the invite! It was a great event for a great cause!

The four year old Deuce sits in the Left Pavilion with his mom and dad. Late in the game, between innings, he comes down from his seat and dances. We love watching him dance and do his routine like he has a guitar on his little hands. He is often put on the big screen that now everyone including the players know him. He gets quite a round of applause.

Here is Deuce with Jeff Weaver in the background.

With Jeff Weaver in the background, I asked him how does Jeff smiles:

Here is Deuce showing his dancing moves:

Here is Deuce and I during BP prior to one of the games against the Yankees. This is the game Jane of Confessions of a she-Fan attended.

Deuce with Jeff Weaver in the back.

I found Deuce and his dad at the All-Star FanFest.

Dodgers got swept at St Louis. It reminded me of my last trip to ST Louis in 2006 when the Dodgers also got swept on a four game series. Padilla should have won that game. The bullpen just could not hold on to that win.

Here is Linda and I in 2006 representing the Blue in a sea of red.

Dodgers return home to play three games with the Giants and a four game series with the Mets! I hope they play better at home! James Loney Boblehead is Tuesday.

Thank you National League players for coming thru and giving the Senior Circuit bragging right!

I could have used a real vacation day today of just resting after the last five hectic days but I had a great time,

Friday 7/9: Volunteer from noon to 5 p.m. Head to Dodger Stadium for game at 7:10 p.m.

Saturday 7/10: Photo Day at Dodger Stadium at 11:a.m. Game at 1:10 p.m. Steve Garvey Charity game at Pepperdine in Malibu at 5:30 p.m. (pictures another time).

Sunday 7/11: volunteer from 8:a.m. to 1 p.m. Head to Dodger Stadium for game at 5:10 p.m.

Monday 7/12: Leave house at 8:30 a.m. to attend FanFest as a FAN before shift. Realized when I got there that I forgot my camera. Make the one hour trip (one way) home to get camera. Got back at 11:30, time to report to work to start noon to 5:p.m. shift. Check out FanFest with friends and family AFTER 5 p.m.

Tuesday 7/13. Checkout FanFest (lots to see) then lineup outside of convention to wait for Player parade. After parade, realized I lost my car keys. Checked with security, information, front desk and no sign of keys. My friend Lorena came to pick me up to head to the game after she finished watching the parade from her end at Disneyland. Brother Vic timed it well to bring me the the extra key I had left at home.

Wednesday 7/14. Exhausted but back at work.

Here are some pictures:

In a prior post, I had mentioned that Red Sox Mickey was on the DL. He was brought back to FanFest after his trip to the mickey hospital. Note how Red Sox Mickey has his left arm all bandaged and he has a hot water bottle on top. Poor mickey.

Here is the news flash from MLB informing everyone that Red Sox Mickey was starting his rehab assignment at the FanFest on Friday and possibly would be ready for the All-Star game.

Unfortunately Kansas City Royals Mickey could not make it on time.

There was a wax figure of Tommy Lasorda. Have you ever seen him this skinny?

Outside of the convention center was the Hilton and the Marriott hotel. The Hilton has the American League Mickey

The Marriott has the The National League Mickey!

After our final volunteering assignment we were given an All-Star baseball. After three days I was really tired but I would do it again. I met lots of fans, little ones and big ones and many other baseball fans that volunteered.

There was a sheet to signup for the upcoming NBA All-Star FanFest in Los Angeles next year and we were told that starting in February we could sign up to volunteer for next year’s MLB All-Star FanFest in Arizona.

Linda and I are designated hitters so we waited where they would take us.

Our group was given the assignment to stuff the welcome bags in the back and to be a greeter handing out the bags. I was going to greet but when I went to the back room, I noticed they needed help stuffing so there I sat stuffing and stuffing and stuffing..

I had fun with the ladies but I had enough of stuffing.

I took a little break and stopped by to see Rollie Fingers

I put back my volunteer shirt when I spotted this cutout of Andre Ethier!

Then I was back to stufing bags.

At 5, I headed back on the 5 freeway to Blue Heaven on Earth! I got there 30 minutes before game time. The Dodgers rewarded me with a win. It should not have been that close but the score was Dodgers 9, Cubs 7.

Checkout Deuce! The famous “bailarin” little dancer at Dodger Stadium. Deuce is a riot! Here he is doing his dance routine. Everyone knows deuce, including the players.

Busy day today with photo day, game and then a softball charity game that I am thinking of attending at Pepperdine. It is being hosted by Steve Garvey. Lots of players and celebrities will be there.

Hey Ernie Banks was at Dodger Stadium yesterday! I missed taking a picture of him. Maybe he will be back today!

I spent Wednesday at Anaheim going to the orientation session in order to volunteer for the FanFest.

I have the second shift noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Sunday and Monday. I will try to change Sunday to the 1st shift of 9 a.m. to Noon so that I have time to make it to the game on Sunday.

I left Saturday open since is Photo Day at Dodger Stadium followed by the game. Saturday is also the Poster Day for the Big Blue Wrecking forum.

I am looking forward to meeting PastorKyle and seeing the rest of the posters of the forum. There will be other people there as part of the group for those BBWC posters that could not make it.

Thank you BabyToes for putting this together. Babytoes is also volunteering at the FanFest. Here is Babytoes next to the All-Star Mickey Mouse:

Linda (behindblueeyes) is also volunteering. Here she is also posing with the All-Star Mickey Mouse.

The Cubs are at Dodger Stadium for a four game series. Today is All-Star Andre Etheir action figure. This is figure two (first one was Matt Kemp). The last one will be of Manny Ramirez. It is only for kids 14 and under but let’s see how I can get a hold of one.

They did a video at the stadium of Matt Kemp and the action figure. I can’t wait to see the one with Andre tonight.

And I can’t wait to see Andre at the All-Star game. I will be in the right field side, upper deck.

Let’s Go Dodgers! Is Cub hunting season again!

All-Star FanFest in the works. This guy with the Strasburg jersey is also volunteering.

John Ely did not have a good night. He could not get out of the 3rd inning. The good news was the bullpen. Jeff Weaver and Belisario pitched scoreless innings. The Dodgers made it close with Rafael Furcal extending his hitting streak by belting a two run homerun. Final score Marlins 6, Dodgers 5.

Here are some pictures from the game:

I like this picture of father and son. He is wearing a Bobby Welch jersey and the kid a Jackie Robinson.

My friend James with his kids, wish his dad was sitting here too to get alll three generations.

fans on the field to watch the fireworks. I prefer to watch them from above

fireworks at Dodger Stadium.

After the fireworks, Victor and I stopped at the Music Center to see the Dodger Mickey. i wanted Victor to see how beautiful it is.

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